State of the nation immediately after the Revolution-Account of the new ministry

-The convention converted into a parliament-Mutiny in the army-The co-

ronation, and abolition of hearth-money-The commons vote a sum of money

to indemnify the Dutch-William's efforts in favour of the dissenters-Act for

a toleration-Violent disputes about the bill for a comprehension-The commons

address the king to summon a convocation of the clergy-Settlement of the re-

venue--The king takes umbrage at the proceedings of the whig party-Heats

and animosities about the bill of indemnity recommended by the king-Birth of

the duke of Gloucester-Affairs of the continent-War declared against France

-Proceedings in the convention of Scotland, of which the duke of Hamilton is

chosen president-Letters to the convention from king William and king James

-They recognise the authority of king William-They vote the crown vacant,

and pass an act of settlement in favour of William and Mary-They appoint

commissioners to make a tender of the crown to William, who receives it on the

conditions they propose-Enumeration of their grievances-The convention is

declared a parliament, and the duke of Hamilton king's commissioner-Prelacy

abolished in that kingdom-The Scots dissatisfied with the king's conduct-

Violent disputes in the Scotch parliament-Which is adjourned-A remonstrance

presented to the king-The castle of Edinburgh besieged and taken-The

troops of king William defeated at Killycrankie-King James cordially received

by the French king-Tyrconnel temporizes with king William-James arrives in

Ireland-Issues five proclamations at Dublin-Siege of Londonderry-The inha-

bitants defend themselves with surprising courage and perseverance-Cruelty of

Rosene, the French general-The place is relieved by Kirke-The Inniskilliners

defeat and take general Maccarty-Meeting of the Irish parliament-They repeal

the act of settlement-Pass an act of attainder against absentees-James coins

base money-The Protestants of Ireland cruelly oppressed-Their churches are

seized by the Catholics, and they are forbid to assemble on pain of death-Ad-

miral Herbert worsted by the French fleet, in an engagement near Bantry-bay-

Divers sentences and attainders reversed in parliament-Inquiry into the cause

of miscarriages in Ireland-Bills passed in this session of parliament. Page 1

CHAP. II.

Duke of Schomberg lands with an army in Ireland—The Inniskilliners obtain a vic-
tory over the Irish-Schomberg censured for his inactivity-The French worsted
at Walcourt-Success of the confederates in Germany-The Turks defeated at
Pacochin, Nissa, and Widen-Death of pope Innocent XI.-King William be-
comes unpopular-A good number of the clergy refuse to take the oaths-The
king grants a commission for reforming church-discipline-Meeting of the con-
vocation-Their session discontinued by repeated prorogations-Proceedings in
parliament-The whigs obstruct the bill of indemnity-The commons resume
the inquiry into the cause of the miscarriages in Ireland-King William irritated
against the whigs-Plot against the government by sir James Montgomery, dis-
covered by bishop Burnet-Warm debates in parliament about the corporation
bills-The king resolves to finish the Irish war in person--General Ludlow arrives
in England, but is obliged to withdraw-Efforts of the Jacobites in Scotland-
The court interest triumphs over all opposition in that country-The tory interest

prevails in the new parliament of England-Bill for recognising their majesties-

Another violent contest about the bill of abjuration--King William lands in Ire-

land-King James marches to the Boyne-William resolves to give him battle-

Battle of the Boyne-Death and character of Schomberg-James embarks for

France-William enters Dublin, and publishes his declaration-The French ob-

tain a victory over the English and Dutch fleets off Beachy-head-Torrington

committed prisoner to the Tower-Progress of William in Ireland---He invests

Limerick; but is obliged to raise the siege, and returns to England-Cork and

Kinsale reduced by the earl of Marlborough-Lazun and the French forces quit

Ireland-The duke of Savoy joins the confederacy-Prince Waldeck defeated

at Fleurus--The archduke Joseph elected king of the Romans-Death of the

duke of Lorrain-Progress of the war against the Turks-Meeting of the parlia-

ment-The commons comply with all the king's demands-Petition of the tories

in the city of London-Attempt against the marquis of Caermarthen-The king's

voyage to Holland-He assists at a congress-Returns to England . Page 54

CHAP. III.

Conspiracy against the government by lord Preston and others--The king fills up

the vacant bishopricks-Affairs of Scotland-Campaign in Flanders-Election of

a new pope-The emperor's success against the Turks-Affairs of Ireland-The

French and Irish obtain an honourable capitulation-Twelve thousand Irish Catho--

lics are transported to France-Meeting of the English parliament-Transactions

in parliament The English and Dutch fleets worsted by the French off Beachy-

head-The king disobliges the Presbyterians of Scotland-Massacre of Glencoe

-Preparations for a descent upon England-Declaration of king James-Pre-

cautions taken by the queen for the defence of the nation-Admiral Russel puts

to sea-He obtains a complete victory over the French fleet off La Hogue-The

French king takes Namur in sight of king William-The allies are defeated at

Steenkirk Extravagant rejoicings in France on account of this victory-Conspi-

racy against the life of king William, hatched by the French ministry-The cam-

paign is inactive on the Rhine and in Hungary-The duke of Savoy invades

Dauphine-The duke of Hanover created an elector of the empire

CHAP. IV.

108

False information against the earl of Marlborough, the bishop of Rochester, and

others-Sources of national discontent-Dissension between the queen and the

princess Anne of Denmark-The house of lords vindicate their privileges in be-

half of their imprisoned members-The commons present addresses to the king

and queen-They acquit admiral Russel, and resolve to advise his majesty-They

comply with all the demands of the ministry-The lords present an address of

advice to the king-Dispute between the lords and commons concerning admiral

Russel-The commons address the king-They establish the land-tax, and other

impositions-Burnet's Pastoral Letter burned by the hangman-Proceedings of

the lower house against the practice of kidnapping men for the service-The two

houses address the king on the grievances of Ireland-An account of the place

bill, and that for triennial parliaments-The commons petition his majesty that

he would dissolve the East India company-Trial of lord Mohun for murder-

Alterations in the ministry-The king repairs to the continent, and assembles the

confederate army in Flanders-The French reduce Huy-Luxembourg resolves to

attack the allies-Who are defeated at Landen-Charleroy is besieged and taken

by the enemy-Campaign on the Rhine-The duke of Savoy is defeated by Ca-

tinat in the plain of Marsaglia-Transactions in Hungary and Catalonia-Naval

affairs-A fleet of merchant ships, under convoy of sir George Rooke, attacked,

and partly destroyed by the French squadrons-Wheeler's expedition to the West

Indies-Benbow bombards St. Maloes-The French king has recourse to the me-

diation of Denmark-Severity of the government against the Jacobites-Com-

plaisance of the Scottish parliament-The king returns to England, makes some

changes in the ministry, and opens the session of parliament-Both houses in-

quire into the miscarriages by sea--The commons grant a vast sum for the services

of the ensuing year-The king rejects the bill against free and impartial proceed-

ings in parliament; and the lower house remonstrates on this subject--Establish-

ment of the bank of England--The East India company obtain a new charter-

Bill for a general naturalization dropped--Sir Francis Wheeler perishes in a storm

-The English attempt to make a descent in Camaret-bay, but are repulsed

with loss-They bombard Dieppe, Havré-de-Grace, Dunkirk, and Calais-Ad-

miral Russel sails for the Mediterranean, relieves Barcelona, and winters at

Cadiz Campaign in Flanders-The allies reduce Huy-The prince of Baden

passes the Rhine, but is obliged to repass that river-Operations in Hungary-

Progress of the French in Catalonia-State of the war in Piedmont-The king

returns to England-The parliament meets-The bill for triennial parliaments

receives the royal assent-Death of archbishop Tillotson and of queen Mary

-Reconciliation between the king and the princess of Denmark

CHAP. V.

WILLIAM.

Page 163

Account of the Lancashire plot-The commons inquire into the abuses which had

crept into the army-They expel and prosecute some of their own members for

corruption in the affair of the East India company-Examination of Cooke, Ac-

ton, and others-The commons impeach the duke of Leeds-The parliament is

prorogued-Session of the Scottish parliament-They inquire into the massacre

of Glencoe-They pass an act for erecting a trading company to Africa and the

Indies-Proceedings in the parliament of Ireland-Disposition of the armies in

Flanders-King William undertakes the siege of Namur-Famous retreat of

prince Vaudemont-Brussels is bombarded by Villeroy-Progress of the siege

of Namur-Villeroy attempts to relieve it-The besiegers make a desperate

assault-The place capitulates-Boufflers is arrested by order of king William

-Campaign on the Rhine, and in Hungary-The duke of Savoy takes Casal-

Transactions in Catalonia-The English fleet bombards St. Maloes and other

places on the coast of France-Wilmot's expedition to the West Indies-A new

parliament-They pass the bill for regulating trials in cases of high-treason-

Resolutions with respect to a new coinage-The commons address the king to

recall a grant he had made to the earl of Portland-Another against the new Scot-

tish company-Intrigues of the Jacobites-Conspirary against the life of Wil-

liam-Design of an invasion defeated-The two houses engage in an associa-

tion for the defence of his majesty-Establishment of a land-bank-Trial of

the conspirators-The allies burn the magazine at Givet-Lewis XIV. makes

advances towards a peace with Holland-He detaches the duke of Savoy from

the confederacy-Naval transactions-Proceedings in the parliaments of Scot-

land and Ireland-Zeal of the English commons in their affection to the king-

Resolutions touching the coin, and the support of the public credit-Enormous

impositions-Sir John Fenwick is apprehended-A bill of attainder being brought

into the house against him, produces violent debates-His defence-The bill

passes-Sir John Fenwick is beheaded-The earl of Monmouth sent to the Tower

-Inquiry into miscarriages by sea-Negotiations at Ryswick-The French

take Barcelona-Fruitless expedition of admiral Neville to the West Indies-

The elector of Saxony is chosen king of Poland-Peter, the czar of Muscovy,

travels in disguise with his own ambassadors-Proceedings in the congress at

Ryswick-The ambassadors of England, Spain, and Holland, sign the treaty—

A general pacification
-225

CHAP. VI.

State of parties-Characters of the ministers-The commons reduce the number of

standing forces to ten thousand-They establish the civil list; and assign funds

for paying the national debts-They take cognizance of fraudulent endorsements

of exchequer bills-A new East India company constituted by act of parliament

-Proceedings against a book written by William Molineux of Dublin-And

against certain smugglers of alamodes and lustrings from France-Society for

the reformation of manners-The earl of Portland resigns his employments-

The king disowns the Scottish trading company-He embarks for Holland-

First treaty of partition-Intrigues of France at the court of Madrid-King

William is thwarted by his new parliament-He is obliged to send away his

Dutch guards-The commons address the king against the Papists-The par-

liament prorogued-The Scottish company make a settlement on the isthmus

of Darien; which, however, they are compelled to abandon-Remonstrances

of the Spanish court against the treaty of partition-The commons persist in

their resolutions to mortify the king-Inquiry into the expedition of captain Kidd

-A motion made against Burnet, bishop of Sarum-Inquiry into the Irish for-

feitures-The commons pass a bill of resumption-And a severe bill against

Papists-The old East India company re-established-Dangerous ferment in

Scotland-Lord Somers dismissed from his employments-Second treaty of

partition-Death of the duke of Gloucester-The king sends a fleet to the Bal-

tic, to the assistance of the Swedes-The second treaty of partition generally

disagreeable to the European powers-The French interest prevails at the court

of Spain-King William finds means to allay the heats in Scotland-The king

of Spain dies, after having bequeathed his dominions, by will, to the duke of

Anjou-The French king's apology for accepting the will-The states-general

own Philip as king of Spain-A new ministry and a new parliament-The com-

mons unpropitious to the court-The lords are more condescending--An inter-

cepted letter from the earl of Milfort to his brother-Succession of the crown

settled upon the princess Sophia, electress dowager of Hanover, and the Protes-

tant heirs of her body-The dutchess of Savoy protests against this act-Inef-
fectual negotiation with France-Severe addresses from both houses in relation
to the partition-treaty-William is obliged to acknowledge the king of Spain-
The two houses seem to enter into the king's measures-The commons resolve
to wreak their vengeance on the old ministry-The earls of Portland and Oxford,
the lords Somers and Halifax, are impeached-Disputes between the two houses
-The house of commons acquits the impeached lords-Petition of Kent-Fa-
vourable end of the session-Progress of prince Eugene in Italy-Sketch of the
situation of affairs in Europe-Treaty of alliance between the emperor and the
maritime powers-Death of king James--The French king owns the pretended
prince of Wales as king of England-Addresses to king William on that subject
-New parliament-The king's last speech to both houses received with great

applause Great harmony between the king and parliament-The two houses pass

the bill of abjuration-The lower house justifies the proceedings of the commons

in the preceding parliament-Affairs of Ireland--The king recommends a

union of the two kingdoms-He falls from his horse-His death-and cha-

racter

CHAP. VII.

ANNE.

Page 316

Anne succeeds to the throne-She resolves to fulfil the engagements of her pre-
decessor with his allies-A French memorial presented to the states-general-
The queen's inclination to the tories-War declared against France—The par-
liament prorogued--Warm opposition to the ministry in the Scottish parliament
-They recognize her majesty's authority-The queen appoints commissioners
to treat of a union between England and Scotland-State of affairs on the con-
tinent-Keiserswaert and Landau taken by the allies-Progress of the earl of
Marlborough in Flanders-He narrowly escapes being taken by a French partisan
-The imperialists are worsted at Fridlinguen-Battle of Luzzara, in Italy—
The king of Sweden defeats Augustus at Lissau, in Poland-Fruitless expedi-
tion to Cadiz by the duke of Ormond and Sir George Rooke-They take and
destroy the Spanish galleons at Vigo-Admiral Benbow's engagement with Du-
casse in the West Indies--The queen assembles a new parliament-Disputes
between the two houses-The lords inquire into the conduct of Sir George Rooke
The parliament make a settlement on prince George of Denmark-The earl

of Marlborough created a duke-All commerce and correspondence prohibited

between Holland and the two crowns of France and Spain-A bill for prevent-

ing occasional conformity-It miscarries--Violent animosity between the two

houses, produced by the inquiry into the public accounts-Disputes between the

two houses of convocation-Account of the parties in Scotland-Dangerous heats

in the parliament of that kingdom-The commissioner is abandoned by the cava-

liers-He is in danger of his life, and suddenly prorogues the parliament--Pro-

ceedings of the Irish parliament-They pass a severe act against Papists-The

elector of Bavaria defeats the imperialists at Scardingen, and takes possession

of Ratisbon--The allies reduce Bonne--Battle of Eckeren--The prince of Hesse

is defeated by the French at Spirebach-Treaty between the emperor and the

duke of Savoy-The king of Portugal accedes to the grand alliance-Sir Cloudes-

ley Shovel sails with a fleet to the Mediterranean-Admiral Graydon's boot-

less expedition to the West Indies-Charles king of Spain arrives in Eng-

land

423

THE LIFE

OF

TOBIAS SMOLLETT, M.D.

BORN 1721-DIED 1771.

TOBIAS SMOLLETT was born near Renton in Dumbartonshire; and the earliest portion of his life was passed in the neighbourhood of that beautiful and romantic river, which he has so happily described in the Adventures of Humphrey Clinker, and to which he has given a classic interest by the Ode to Leven- Water. His family was ancient and respectable. His grandfather, Sir James Smollett, of Bonhill, was a member of the Scottish parliament, and one of the commissioners for the Union. His father, who was a younger son, formed an imprudent marriage at an early age; and dying in the prime of life, left his two sons and a daughter without any certain provision. Sir James, though his son had married without his consent, does not appear to have extended his anger to his innocent descendants; and to the liberality of his grandfather Smollett was indebted for an education, by which he was enabled to raise himself to so distinguished a place among the writers of his country.

He was educated at the school of Dumbarton, and afterward removed to the college of Glasgow, where